Mariners RP Carson Smith blows save, loses third straight outing

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(8/1/15) Mariners reliever Carson Smith recorded his fifth blown save of the season in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Twins. With the Mariners leading by one, Smith gave up a double to leadoff the ninth inning.

He was able to retire the next batter on a strikeout, but then uncorked a wild pitch moving the runner to third. After getting the second out, he issued an intentional walk before throwing yet another wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score. Finally, Kurt Suzuki singled in the winning run, giving Smith the blown save and the loss.

Smith (1-5) has picked up a loss in three straight appearances, allowing five earned runs in those games. Nevertheless, manager Lloyd McClendon appears committed to Smith as his closer, claiming the rookie right-hander would get the ball in a possible save chance on Sunday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Mariners closer Carson Smith takes second straight loss

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(7/28/15) Mariners closer Carson Smith struggled for a second straight game Monday in a loss to Arizona.

Smith opened the 10th inning in a tie game with two walks and a hit-by-pitch sandwiched around a strikeout. He was removed, but a sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run and tagged him with the loss.

He has allowed three runs and taken two defeats in his last two appearances.

McLendon seeks to lighten load on Mariners RP Carson Smith

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(7/26/15) A poor performance by Mariners closer Carson Smith on Saturday has Lloyd McLendon a bit concerned about workload. The manager has vowed not to overwork the rookie.

The appearance was his third in three days and fourth in five. He pitched hitless ball in the other three, but allowed two runs without retiring a batter Saturday.

"My belief is you try to protect young relievers," McLendon told MLB.com. "You try not to pitch them more than three days in a row, and you see how the ball's coming out. Obviously we don't want him to go out and throw 80 innings. That's not going to happen."

Smith has saved nine games in 10 opportunities and owns a 2.21 ERA.

Mariners' Carson Smith saves ninth of year

by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(7/25/15) Mariners reliever Carson Smith earned his ninth save of the year, all in the last nine attempts, with a perfect ninth inning against Toronto on Friday.

Smith had his first perfect one-inning outing since July 6. He struck out one and protected a three-run lead.